SIMS.net in Linux with Mono? (Preferably Ubuntu)

[LosOjos]

I'm almost certain I'm not going to get anywhere with this, but here goes.

I've heard that it's possible to run .NET software in Linux using a package called Mono.

My questions are:
1) Has anybody successfully used Mono to run .NET software in Linux?
2) Has anybody ever managed to get SIMS.net running in Linux (using this or any other methods)

I'm almost certain I won't get anywhere with it but any advice would be great, I'd love to ditch Windows but without SIMS.net, my job is impossible!

[CyberNerd]

haha.
sorry.
I doubt it.
it would need re-compiling.

edit: we run it as a publish citrix app on ubuntu, so there is hope.

[localzuk]

haha.
sorry.
I doubt it.
it would need re-compiling.

.NET is not a compiled language as such - it just needs to run in a compatible CLR engine.

However, I really doubt it would work - SIMS.net will make use of many Microsoft only .Net libraries, which Mono will not have created compatible slot in replacements for.

You'll not get SIMS.net working in Linux without proper emulation I don't think.

[powdarrmonkey]

haha.
sorry.
I doubt it.
it would need re-compiling.

Not true.

Mono is a free implementation of the .Net API; .Net itself is designed to be architecture-independent - like Java, but sensible. Ish.

Anyway, JoshJohnson: your mileage will probably vary, but I'd have a go and see if it works. You might find you need WINE.

[cookie_monster]

haha.
sorry.
I doubt it.
it would need re-compiling.

edit: we run it as a publish citrix app on ubuntu, so there is hope.

Isn't that just running on a Windows box though. We use Debian thin clients but they're just handling KVM info the program runs on a Windows server in the background even when it's a published app.

[CyberNerd]

Isn't that just running on a Windows box though. We use Debian thin clients but they're just handling KVM info the program runs on a Windows server in the background even when it's a published app.

yes, it's running on a windows server.

I stand by my statement that it's not going to work on mono. I guarantee it.

[CyberNerd]

Not true.

Mono is a free implementation of the .Net API; .Net itself is designed to be architecture-independent - like Java, but sensible. Ish.

My understanding was that software written in .net had to be compiled on mono... is that not true?

[powdarrmonkey]

My understanding was that software written in .net had to be compiled on mono... is that not true?

No, Mono is binary-compatible. However, the implementation is not complete, which will be the sticking point.

[LosOjos]

My understanding was that software written in .net had to be compiled on mono... is that not true?

It's a bit of a yes and no answer from what I can tell. Technically you should be able to run .net software compiled anyway as it is the .net libraries that are important, but for guaranteed compatibility programs should be compiled with Mono.

Like I said, I wasn't expecting it to really be much use here but rather than just not bother with it, I thought I'd get other people's views and experiences.

[Mcshammer_dj]

terminal services?

go with ubuntu and then allow access to SIMS using terminal services. YOu will need a windows server all the time that SIMS uses SQL server

[localzuk]

My understanding was that software written in .net had to be compiled on mono... is that not true?

Nope, when .net is compiled, it becomes CIL bytecode, much like java code becomes java bytecode. It is then transferrable across different implementations of .Net.

[webman]

I agree with CyberNerd. In an ideal world, Mono would be able to run any .NET-compiled application. But in reality, and probably especially with SIMS, this is unlikely to work. Just look at all the stuff on the Porting winforms applications page on the Mono project website.

Although many small apps will run on Mono unmodified, many apps will require some work on the developer's part to run smoothly on Mono.

I very much doubt SIMS was written with Mono in mind.

[cookie_monster]

yes, it's running on a windows server.

I stand by my statement that it's not going to work on mono. I guarantee it.

I agree, it only just runs on Windows (sorry couldn't help it SIMS has been a pain today)

[LosOjos]

Ok well thanks for the replies all, it was worth a shot.

On a side note, I really wish more mainstream developers would take up the cross platform gauntlet and stop forcing us all to throw cash in the M$ coffers. It's fair enough when Microsoft or Apple make platform specific software, it's their platform and hence their profits they're bumping, but any software developer worth their salt should be doing all they can to create cross platform solutions these days IMHO

[powdarrmonkey]

I still say try it and see - then we know, one way or the other instead of just conjecturing.

Either way they certainly won't support it...